E951: Aspartame (Dipeptide Sweetener / 200x) vs. E968: Erythritol (Zero-Calorie Fermented Polyol)
Comparing 2 standards across 11 specifications. 11 key differences identified.
E951 (Aspartame) is a methyl ester of the aspartic acid/phenylalanine dipeptide yielding ~200x the sweetness of sucrose. INS 951, ADI is 40 mg/kg bw/day, the historic sweetener in Diet Coke and tabletop sweetener packets.
E968 (Erythritol) is a four-carbon polyol produced by microbial fermentation of glucose by Moniliella pollinis. INS 968, ADI is Not Specified, delivering 70% the sweetness of sucrose with 0.0–0.2 kcal/g, zero GI, and 90% urinary excretion avoiding digestive distress.
Specification Comparison Table
11 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
E-Number Code
|
E951 | E968 |
|
INS / Codex Number
|
INS 951 | INS 968 |
|
Functional Class
|
High-Intensity Artificial Sweetener | Non-Nutritive Bulk Sweetener, Flavor Enhancer, Humectant |
|
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
|
40 mg / kg body weight per day (US FDA: 50 mg/kg) | Not Specified (Highest digestive tolerance among all polyols: 0.66–0.80 g/kg bw) |
|
Relative Sweetness Index
|
200x Sucrose | 70% Sucrose |
|
Caloric Value
|
4.0 kcal / g (Negligible at use levels / ~0.1 kcal per serving) kcal/g | 0.2 kcal / g (Legal EU/US: 0.0 kcal / g) kcal/g |
|
Common Target Foods
|
Diet sodas, tabletop sweetener packets (Equal), sugar-free gelatin desserts, drink mixes | Keto baked goods, monk fruit/stevia blends (Swerve), zero-sugar confectionery |
|
Dietary Compliance
|
Vegetarian, Halal, Kosher, Contains Phenylalanine (Warning for PKU patients mandatory) | 100% Vegan (Yeast fermentation of corn glucose), Halal, Kosher, Non-GMO |
|
Safety Approval
|
EFSA Authorized / FDA Approved (21 CFR 172.804) | EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (GRN 76) |
|
Primary Mechanism
|
Stimulates T1R2/T1R3 sweet taste receptors with clean, sugar-like taste profile | — |
|
Glycemic Index (GI)
|
— | 0 (Zero effect on blood glucose or insulin levels) |